| Margaret Dowling |
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 Margaret Dowling was one of the founders of Hospice at Home West Cumbria. She died on Friday 30th November 2007 from pulmonary fibrosis, a side effect of the arthritis she had suffered from for the past 25 years. Margaret was a great nurse and a great human being. In many ways she was West Cumbria's very own Cicely Saunders. She had immense vision, deep compassion and an extraordinary store of wisdom and common sense. Some twenty years ahead of the rest of the UK, together with local community nursing colleagues and an equally visionary local GP (Dr Brian Herd), she founded Hospice at Home West Cumbria. Today the emerging NHS National End of Life Strategy is promoting the development of exactly the sort of service Margaret and her colleagues founded back in 1987. Margaret was ceaseless in her energy and commitment to Hospice at Home West Cumbria. Nothing was ever too much trouble for her. Her most common response to an idea to develop or improve services for people wanting to die at home in West Cumbria was a resounding “Yes”. As well as her energy, commitment and tireless work for the people of West Cumbria, people will remember Margaret with warmth and a lot of affection as a very great human being. She always had a kind or encouraging word for everyone she dealt with. She had a deep common sense and wisdom. And she had a wonderful sense of humour and fun. At her retirement, someone said “If Margaret had been on the Titanic, everyone would have been saved”. We were all very glad that Margaret was in West Cumbria instead….her impact will be in this community for generations. Some things do not die. The Margaret Dowling Fund In memory of Margaret and in gratitude for all she did for Hospice at Home, the Trustees have set up a memorial fund to be known as the Margaret Dowling Memorial Fund. The purpose of the fund is to provide, promote and encourage the teaching and/or training of anyone working for Hospice at Home West Cumbria, either as salaried staff or in a voluntary capacity and will be open to applications from individuals and groups. If you would like to apply to the fund please contact Dawn Ousby, Finance Manager, on 01900 873173 for an application form. Applications are usually considered in June and December. Applications will be considered for both short and long term courses and other training programmes as appropriate. The extent of the Fund is as wide as possible and covers any branch of care and/or services provided by Hospice at Home. Donations to the Fund are invited from Hospice supporters and members of the public. Initially the Fund will run for 5 years, with an option to renew for a further term. Awards will be made annually. Full details of the Fund are embodied in a Trust Deed. Copies are available on request. More information about the fund is available from the Finance Manager on 01900 873173.
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